“Now there is only one day more,” Matilda exclaimed, as she darted into the school-room, (which Mrs. Roberts had just left,) and clasped Selina round the neck so tightly as almost to choke her; “only one day more, my sweet sister _Demure_, and my punishment will be ended, and you will be, I do believe, as happy as I am; for I know you have not half enjoyed the stories without me, nor you either, Leila--now tell me, have you not missed me very much?” Both assured her that they had. “I knew it,” she continued, “for you are so tender-hearted; but I hope Mrs. Roberts has been tender-hearted also, and that she has not begun to read to you the account of Lavalette’s escape yet: you know she said she would abridge it for us, and last night, when I saw her writing, I was so afraid she would read it to you to-day--it would be very cruel of her if she has done so.” “But she was not cruel,” Leila answered quickly; “I think she stopped on purpose that you might be with us--to-day she only read to us some anecdotes of cats.” “Of cats! O I don’t care so much about cats; what could put that into Mrs. Roberts’s head?” “I had been telling her of the sad fright Selina gave me last night, that made her think of cats.” “And you did not tell me about Selina,” Matilda said, reproachfully; “though I don’t care much for other people’s cats, you know I always do for yours--I like every thing that you like, Leila.” “Yes, I know you do; and you are not to look vexed now, for I don’t like that; the reason I did not like to tell you was, that we began lessons the moment I arrived, for I was later than usual to-day, because I staid to talk to Peggy Dobie about a bee-hive; I am going to get her a bee-hive; I have money for it now, and it will be ready for spring. She is so fond of bees; she says they are the best of company, an example to old and young, and the very hum of them is pleasant to her heart, and brings back her thoughts to her own land, and to days long gone by.” “But what about Selina?” Matilda inquired.